NBA: Cavaliers even series with Celtics

The Associated Press

Published Tuesday, May 13, 2008

CLEVELAND -- Back to even, and back to Boston -- with authority.

LeBron James scored 21 points, jamming in a powerhouse dunk over a defenseless Kevin Garnett in the final two minutes, as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the homesick Celtics 88-77 in Game 4 on Monday night to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Still stuck in a shooting slump, James dominated down the stretch and finished with 13 assists -- four in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers, whose defense has been overlooked, held the Celtics to just 12 points in the final period.

Boston dropped to 0-5 on the road in the postseason, a stunning slip for a team that went 31-10 on the road during the regular season. During a short visit to Ohio, the Celtics lost their momentum in the series but will now head home, where they went 35-6 before the playoffs started.

Game 5 is Wednesday night, and Game 6 will be back in Cleveland on Friday. James was just 7-for-20 from the floor, but he did everything else for the Cavs, who are attempting to overcome an 0-2 deficit for the second time in two years.

Lakers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Kobe Bryant met the media Monday with a new companion -- an electronic stimulating device hooked up to his sore lower back.

Plans call for the two to spend a lot of time together for the next couple of days, or longer. The Los Angeles Lakers' star tweaked his back in the opening minutes of Sunday's 123-115 overtime loss at Utah that tied the Western Conference semifinals 2-2.

All-Defensive Team

NEW YORK -- League MVP Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett were selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team on Monday, along with Marcus Camby, Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan.

Garnett, who helped the Boston Celtics to the league's best record, was chosen for the ninth time.